Coffee Berry Borer (CBB) pest

According to a Coffee Industry Corporation (CIC) update, a technical report has highlighted a gradual spread of the pest in the Province.

The report states that a garden representing a total land area of 186.7 hectares is infected. And this number is expected to increase once more information is made available.

So far, an estimated 10 percent of infected gardens have bee rehabilitated and the CIC anticipates completing the next 90 percent in the coming months.

The recent downturn in coffee prices is now placing even more pressure on growers affected by the pest, which has significantly reduced kilograms of coffee for sale.

According to Kina, prices for coffee fell by 4.7 per cent during the month.

This means that not only will the CBB pest reduce the number of kilograms of coffee beans sold but at a much lower price.

Coffee Industry Corporation (CIC) Grower and Research Services, General Manager, Dr. Mark Kenny, tells Loop PNG that growers are very worried and concerned but have been very receptive.

Eastern Highlands, however, has confirmed the presence of the CBB pest in Asari and Kamaliki, as initially discovered two months ago.

In a media statement, Coffee Industry Corporation Chief Executive Officer, Charles Dambui, said the delimiting surveys will continue as part of its surveillance exercise.

“We are now into the containment stage and this will basically involve looking at short term measures to address the problem.”